Author's Note: Just wanted to let you all know this, original characters are of my own design, but characters like the Hayes family are the sole property of Yoshio2014. Check out his page on DeviantArt.
Howling Moon
Chapter 2: Lonely Howling on the Moonlit Night; Meet Mischa Quist
Late at Night
Max's Room
The room hadn't been fully set up, but it was close enough as Max was just setting up his King-sized bed for himself. Apparently, even with a regular bed, he'd fall right out of it and crash, so he got a king-sized bed to fix that up. It was centered in the back of the room next to the closet which was close to his door. In the hallway, where his room rested on the forest side with a view, and Pearl's room was on the front side. At the moment, he was only wearing blue sweat pants as he had just finished showering. He looked at his newly set up bend and smiled, "Haaaa, now that's a good start." He looked around his boxed room, and sighed, "Well, it's a good start."
Suddenly, the door busted open, as Pearl, who now had her hair down wet, and sporting a pair of pink short shorts and a white t-shirt with a midriff, also showing off white diamond tattoos on her right outer thigh, left hip, and left bicep, smiled as she cried out, "Ready for bed, Max?!"
But then stopped as she looked at his bare upper body, and drooled a little, as she blinked, thinking, 'Holy hotties...'
Max blinked, "Eh, Pearl?"
She blinked, as she snapped out of her daze, "Eh what?"
"You're drooling," Max bluntly said as he pointed at her mouth.
She blinked, as she reached up and felt trickles of saliva from the edge of her mouth. Indeed, she was drooling at this, and blushed as she covered her mouth, but then turned her attention to Max. He was smirking and snickering as he couldn't hold back. That fumed at her, as she grabbed a random item, as she shouted, "Hey, shut up, jerk!" And then threw it at him, as he easily dodged it.
"Hey, don't vent out your frustration on me," he said, as he groaned, "But you burst in here. Is this gonna be a random thing?"
"No fair you dodging me like that! You're always doing that," Pearl stated. It was true that Max had a habit of dodging her pretty well, which irked the girl who had martial art skills.
She huffed, "And don't ask me on that." She completely dodged the question on that, so it was an indication on the fact that she would do it anyway. She puffed her cheeks as she said, blowing a friendly raspberry at him, "Good night. Pervo."
And then closed the door. Max sighed as he rubbed his temple, "Man, I like her, but I wish she wouldn't be like this."
Down the hall as she walked to her room, which was like his: only the bed set up and nothing else opened or set up. Pearl closed the door behind her, and sighed, as she looked at the window foreowned, "Darn it, Pearl. You wanted to go with Max because you have huge hard-on crush feelings on him." She walked over to her bed as she plopped onto it and sighed, "You gotta stop being like this and just be... more open."
Aroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Pearl blinked, as she sat up and arched an eyebrow at this, hearing a wolf's howl from outside. She looked out her window to see the non-lit street lamps but only the moonlight shining along the other cabins. No wolves. Which would indicate that it was a lone wolf.
Pearl laid down back in bed, as she heard the eerie, yet mournful cry, as she sighed, "I guess it's kinda sad being alone. Poor Wolf."
Max's Room
Aroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
In his room, Max was lying in bed, with the covers to his waist, as he looked out at the forest. He too heard the howling as it echoed from the forest: where his window faced to it. He chose the room because ever since he was a kid, he was drawn to the forest. Almost like it called out to him. Pearl always told him that it was a good thing in some ways, like he was a natural naturist, like her. But even so, since he got here, even for one day... it felt like the forest was home to him, and this howl.. it was either a 'Welcome Home' for him or a cry of loneliness. It was hard to tell but Max felt only one thing as he thought aloud.
"That howl... " he said as he looked out at the moonlit forest, "It sounds lonely."
The Next Morning
Max awoke the next morning, stretching out as he got dressed in his regular attire. As soon as he brushed his teeth and was walking down the hall and down the stairs to the main floor, he entered the living room. On the right side though was a dining room with a kitchen further back, while in the living room, there was also a chimney spot but no fireplace, meaning the fireplace was down below somewhere, with only a view window with worn out curtains at the front door. At the moment, it was bare and barely any furniture in it, while there was a stairway leading to the next level. He heard moaning and grunting from below, and arched his eyebrow to investigate. He gently walked down to the 3rd level, which was something of an empty room but leading to other rooms, which could be used for anything. But at the moment, it was being used as a workout room, as Pearl was using a row of workout mats, while she performed yoga and her hair in an upper ponytail.
Though to Max's embarrassment, she was fully naked, showcasing her diamond tattoos and her bodacious workout body.
Though when she turned around, she yelped as did he, with both blushing, as she covered up, while Max shielded his eyes.
"AaaH!"
"Gah," Max said, as he covered his eyes, "Sorry. I heard noises and... oh boy..."
But Pearl relaxed as she smiled, while covering her chest with her arm, as she didn't bother to cover her bottom, "Max, c'mon. It's not like you haven't seen me naked before."
Max did realize that, as he had accidentally caught her in the gym of her old high school, doing martial art practices and yoga moves in the nude. It wasn't a strange or new thing to him that Pearl came from a family of nudists. Though she did it in private as she would get super embarrassed around people she didn't trust on it, but when Max accidentally spotted her, she freaked out.
Though it got bad enough that she forced him to get naked in teh privacy of their classroom, only to almost get caught by her aunt. Though luckily Max had two ponchos big enough to cover their bodies, and put them on fast when they did. Though after, she got better around him with it, and didn't feel too embarrassed to be alone with him naked. It was super awkward for Max though when she brought him around her family and they were all naked. It was super awkward and super hard to make sure he didn't get a boner as a result of it. Though oddly, her cousin Billy Hayes didn't get naked at all around them; it was probably because he was super embarrassed on it. Though Max and Billy actually got along pretty well as friends, even though Billy was a super pervert to spy on his nude female cousins, even if they were super hot.
But Max then frowned, as he leaned on teh railing of the stairway, "So why did you freak out?"
Pearl thought on it for a moment, and then playfully stuck her tongue out, "I dunno. Maybe because a boy is seeing an innocent virgin maiden all ready to be taken."
Max frowned, as he stated, "You're hardly Innocent, Pearl, or a maiden. Your martial arts and tattoos say otherwise."
Pearl stuck her tongue out playfully as she uncovered her chest, feeling comfy being nude again around him, "So what's on teh agenda today?"
"First you," Max stated, wanting to know what she would do.
"Well, after my workout, I'm heading into the dead town to see if I can find a place to open that cafe I wanted to open," Pearl smiled. It was no mystery that Pearl wanted to make a coffee shop, as she was pretty good at baking and serving. She would find the equipment and with the town funding, she'd get an approval.
Max nodded, "Figured I'd check out our back property more. See what we chose to move into and see how far it goes."
Pearl smiled, "Oooh, that sounds fun. Maybe if you find a lake, we could take a swim together. See if I can kick your butt in the water."
Max smiled as he walked down the stairway to the next level of the house, "I'll let you know when I get back. See ya."
Once he was out of sight, Pearl smiled as she waved, "Love ya."
"Love you too, Pearl," he called back, not getting what she said or meant.
But then she blushed as she realized what she had just said, and crashed in the floor, as she rolled around embarrassed.
The 4th Level
The 4th Level was where the chimney fireplace was at, and also led to the forest outside. On the left side was a room for laundry with the machines for the ready, while the rest of the ground floor was a lounge of sorts. There was also a glass sliding door with window drapes, as Max walked to the door and exited the house. As he did, he saw the outside was nice and beautiful, with teh skies clouded but let a little sun out. The forest though was thick with hills and trees, with only a small path leading in to the darkened and bright green of the area.
But as he made his way through.. he stopped and blinked, as he let what Pearl said sink in... "Wait. Love ya?" For a moment he thought on it, and shook his head, "Meh, must have been endearment."
And walked in the forest, not knowing what was in it.
20 Minutes of Hiking Later
Max had made a good long trek through the forest and hills. As he continued on, he passed or walked on log bridges that had been here for quite some time. Possibly leftover from the last inhabitances of the island. Taking a branch, he had made his way through and stopped for a moment to really take in the serene forest area. Though as he looked around, he spotted on the hill to his right, smoke coming from it. He arched an eyebrow, as he made his way to see where it was coming from or what it was at all.
15 Minutes of Trekking Later
A good fifteen minute trek up a hill, he spotted a small clearing but shaded by trees, as the trail made its way to a house-sized cabin. The cabin looked like someone was recently living there, as there was evidence of someone still living there. For one thing, the chimney was lit and puffing out smoke. The cabin was littered with well-tailored hides of animals, and antlers from deer. There was a small bonfire for outdoor cooking as well.
Max stopped as he looked around, "Huh. Didn't figure this was here."
"Can I help you with something, Stranger?"
Max yelped as he turned around as the source of the voice was behind him. There he met its owner.
She was a sixteen-year-old Native American female with olive tan copper skin, brown eyes, long flowing and bouncy brown hair that reached down to her hips in a tip, with two logn bangs that reached down in front of her ears and ended down her breasts, with two bangs parted in front with a tiff of hair in the center, and the bangs tucked behind her ears. She had an athletic but dazzling beautiful figure with C cup breasts, tight waist, slender legs, dainty hands and sexy small feet, with flawless skin; she was a natural nature beauty. She wore a black dress that showed her cleavage down to her rib cage but modestly held her breasts in place, two front slits that showed off her legs and the skirt going down to her ankles, a golden wristband on her right wrist, and a Native American red gem necklace with two teeth on each side. In truth, this girl was a forest beauty of any kind.
The girl asked in a beautiful voice that almost made her seem innocent as she asked again, "I was asking, what brings you out here, Stranger?"
Max cleared his throat as he spoke, "Oh, Um, I moved here with a friend in town. Our home is about 20-30 minutes a walk from here. And honestly, I didnt' expect anyone to be living out here."
The girl smiled, as she nodded, "No one ever does. I live here by myself and keep to the forest. I only venture out to town if I need anything anyway."
Max then arched an eye as he smirked, "So your a Nature NEET then?"
The girl looked confused at that name as she asked, "NEET?"
He shook his head, "Nevermind." But then held his hand out to her as he introduced himself, "I'm Max. Max Thompson."
The girl smiled, as she reached out, "Mischa Quist. Pleasure to make your acquaintance." But as soon as they shook hands, Mischa seemed to stiffen as her face looked in a bit of shock.
Max took notice of that as he asked, "Um... you okay?"
Mischa snapped out of her daze as she looked to him, and smiled quickly, "Oh, it's okay. It's been so long since I held the hand of another. Let alone the hand of such a handsome man before me."
Max smiled, as he said, "I bet you say that to all the guys."
"Not really," Mischa confessed, "In true honesty, I've spent my time alone and I don't really know anybody. I only saw you all moving into the town yesterday."
Max arched an eyebrow as he asked, "And you didn't come to greet us?"
"I wasn't sure that you would all stay," Mischa confessed, but then smiled, "But it would be nice to see life breathe once again in this forgotten sanctuary paradise."
"That's cool to hear," Max smiled, but then pointed, "So you live here by yourself? No one else?"
Mischa shrugged, as she looked cute doing it, "Not that I'm aware of. I just spend most of my time, hunting, gathering food, and tailoring. Wanna see?"
The blue-haired boy nodded, "Yeah, sure."
Mischa nodded, "Nice and... cool," she said the last part, like she never had used it. But then looked distressed as she fell forward, "Oh no!" But Max quickly caught her, as she leaned against his chest, as she looked up to him, smiling in embarrassing, "Sorry. Weak ankles."
But then she suddenly yelped as he scooped her up, bridal style. "Then let me help you inside then," Max said, but then blinked as he realized what he did. "Oh jeez, I'm really sorry, I..."
But Mischa seemed to giggle at this, as she smiled, "The first boy my age pops up, and he literally sweeps me off my feet. How romantic. But it's not a bother; it's very sweet of you to do."
Max sighed as he was relieved, "Good to hear." But even so, the two looked to each other in a bit of wonder, but mostly on something odd that had happened. As Max looked to her and thought, 'I never noticed this before... but it's weird. I'm... drawn to her. Wonder why?'
Mischa looked at him, a bit bewildered, but her eyes glistened with stars, as she stared at him, 'He's so... different from what I've been used to. Is it because of his blue hair or his modern upbringing. Or is it... ? It's hard to tell with him, but there's something familiar...'
But at the moment, both snapped out of it, as Mischa smiled nervously, "oh, um, the door's unlocked. It's kinda like that since nobody's lived in town and I'm all by myself."
Max nodded as he walked to the stairway leading to her door, "Probably might wanna lock it up to be safe. Not sure how everyone else is, but there might be pervs and crazies there."
Mischa smiled at his thoughtfulness to her, "It's okay. I may not look it but I'm stronger and capable of handling myself." But she smiled saying, "Though it is rather kind of you to be concern for me."
Max nodded, "It's just who I am. A bit softy."
And he walked towards up the stairs to her door, while she thought, 'A caring male. Quite a good quality for a future mate.'
Meanwhile
Downtown
The downtown sector of the forest island was a bit low on being kept, as everyone had all but abandoned it. Nature had taken it back plenty, as the asphalt was overtaken by plants. Vines had covered some of the buildings as long grass grew like an unkept jungle. Junk and garbage was strewn about, making the roads hard to pass and drive around, as Pearl did her best to stay away from breakable garbage from leaking her tires. But once she had gotten dressed and in her car, she was ready to clean up shop for the new cafe.
As she unlocked the door, and opened shop, she looked around seeing the mess that she was getting into. Everything was covered in dust and cobwebs, some of the equipment was a bit covered in a thick set of dust. Pearl sighed, as she put her hands to her hips, "I've got a lot of work to do."
At that moment, the door opened, as she turned around to see Aina Monroe, having rode a bike down there, and walked in, as she asked, "Yeesh. Is that dust or a thin layer of cement?"
Before Pearl had left, she had gone over to ask for help, and Aina, being good with her hands and a more athletic girl, offered to help. "Yeah, we're gonna have to work hard and fast to get this place working again."
Meanwhile
Back in the Forest
Max had walked Mischa into her home as he gently carried her in. The place was loaded with fur furniture made from the hides of deer and bears. On the floor was a big grizzly bear skin rug, extra fluffly. The walls were adorned with antlers, either from hunting or from finding them. A fireplace was cooking a cauldron of soup or stew or whatever it was. There was a couch of fur and hide but looked comfy to sit on, and on the corner was a work bench.
Max gently set her down on the couch, as he sat next to her. "Hope your ankle feels better," he said.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm actually a fast healer too," Mischa winked at him.
The sight of her winking made Max's heart skip a beat. It was as though just the sight of this mysterious girl was enough to make him feel things he had never felt before. He could feel his face burn as a blush appeared on his cheeks. 'Oh man... what's happening to me,' Max thought to himself as he could feel the unknown energy from her go through his body, 'Okay, keep calm, Max. Focus on other things.'
Max looked away trying to hide his embarrassment and noticed all the hunting trophies in the room. "So... are all of these your trophies or did they come with the house," Max asked her as he tried to change the subject.
"Most are all mine," Mischa smiled, as she sighed heavily, arching her back to push her breasts at her dress, as she leaned back on the couch. "Like I said, I'm very good at hunting and tailoring." And lifted her right leg up to cross it over her left one, allowing it to bounce her foot up and down, as her toes wiggled, almost waving at Max.
Max's eyes widened at the sight of Mischa's toes wiggling at him. For some reason, he found himself unable to look away and was enjoying the sight of her exposed leg and foot. His heart rate increased even more and he could feel his nose tingle. It was as though he could feel something about to burst out of his nose.
'Who knew feet and toes could be so se- WHAT THE HECK,' Max thought in alarm as he tried to calm himself down, 'I shouldn't be thinking about something like that! What if I start doing that at the beach or a public pool?!'
"I uh I guess you would need to hunt if you live out here alone," Max said trying to look away but his eyes were glued to the girl's bouncing leg, "So... when you're not searching for food, what do you do up here... all alone?"
Mischa smiled, "Just sleep, and read." He then looked to Max, as she softly spoke, "So are you troubled with things like this?" Suddenly, her right leg shot up right into Max's face, giving him a good show of her leg and foot.
"Troubled?! Oh no," Max said quickly while his face turned red from the sight of her foot, "It's just... no one has ever shown themselves off like this to me. So it's a first for me!"
For some reason, Max's eyes were darting between Mischa who was smiling mischievously at him while she bit her bottom lip, and her foot, which was still in front of him. She was so close, that he could smell the fresh air and the scent of nature coming off of her. It was as though she was giving off the smell of the forest naturally without the use of perfume.
'Oh man... this scent and... her leg are so- NO, NO, NO,' Max thought as he tried to fight off the instincts that were heating up within him, 'I can't think these sorts of things here! We just met and I can't develop a fetish for a complete stranger! What if this turns out to be some sort of trap to steal my money or label me as a pervert?!' Max couldn't help but imagine a hidden camera somewhere recording all of this for the internet and everyone seeing it. The footage would be shown, and the public would label him a pervert making it hard to get a job and becoming a pariah to the public. Despite what his flaring instincts were telling him, his rational mind was telling him to get out of there, fast!
Mischa then pulled her foot back, connecting to his cheek, as she smiled, "Weak ankles, I mean."
Max gulped, "Oh, no, I um..." he said as he scooted over to get some distance, "I don't usually have that."
Mischa continued to smirk as she continued to move her foot up and down and wiggled her toes in front of Max. It was as though her foot was a snake charmer's flute and he was the snake following it as though he was in a hypnotic trance. No matter how hard to tried to focus on Mischa's face, his eyes went back to the foot in front of his face.
'Who knew a girl's foot was so powerful,' Max thought in alarm.
She gently pulled her foot back, as she then began to crawl to him, as she asked softly, "So no known weaknesses, whatever?" She gently put her hand atop of his right as she gently stroked her fingers on it, "No tickle spots?"
The feeling of her hands on his chest made his heart rate increase even more. It was a miracle he was still standing. "Tickle spots?! None that I-I can think of," Max said as he tried to back away but Mischa continued to crawl after him like a dog wanting her owner's attention.
"Well, let's say we find out," Mischa said with a sly grin as she reached out for him with her other hand.
She then drew her left leg up to his side, as she drew her right leg up too, pinning him between her legs, while her butt was sticking up, and her back was arched. She looked like a wild animal ready to pounced at him, as her hands were gently on his shoulders, as she leaned in and asked, "Or... are you just a young man... who has urges like that of any animal I've come across..." And then gently kissed his nose, "... Max?"
Max's eyes were now replaced with swirls as they spun around due to his mind being overloaded with what was happening to him.
Max was swirling in his own head as he screamed, 'Oh crap! So sexy!' But managed to clear his mind to see her, 'Holy... wow... when I went for a walk through the backyard or how far it went, I was not expecting this. She's the epitome of sexiness and so more.' But then snapped out of it as he gently sat up while holding onto a shocked Mischa, as he said, "I'm sorry, I'm all good. I should go." And then got up attempting to leave.
This though was a frightening blow to Mischa, as she didn't want to separate from a potential recruit or mate.
She got up and grabbed his hand. "Wait, please," Mischa pleaded to him, "It's been so long since I'm seen anyone out here! Just stay a little longer, please!"
Max stared at her pleading face. She looked as though she was about to lose the one thing in her life that meant anything to her as she had a frown on her face and her eyes looked as though they were ready to cry.
Max found himself unable to say no to her, but he knew he had to leave as well. "I really do have to go. My friend Pearl is waiting for me," Max said quickly trying to avoid falling under another spell from this vexing beauty, "But you can come with me if you'd like."
Mischa looked a bit confused, and almost irked by that title, as she asked, "Pearl? Men call themselves by jewelry? That's a bit odd."
"No, no! Pearl is a girl who is living with me," Max quickly answered her.
The moment she heard his answer, Mischa's sadness was replaced with panic. 'A girl how's living with,' Mischa thought in jealousy, 'A girl that is attempting to seduce this fine example of a new recruit before me?! I will not stand for this! Even if I have to go into the city, I must see this girl for myself to determine if she will be a threat or not!'
Mischa stood up as she looked to him, hardened and determined as she almost demanded, "Take me with you. I would like to mee this Pearl."
"Deal," Max said while very happy that he didn't break this girl's heart and was able to meet up with Pearl without making her worry about him.
1 Hour Later
Café
The place had been completely cleaned up from top to bottom, with the machinery and lighting working to perfection. Pearl had managed to get the register working, even though it was archaic; she would have to replace it with a digital one later on. On the plus side, she got the coffee and cappuccino working again. She was currently brewing up samples, while Aina was having a Grande Latte with foam, of which she was playfully dipping her nose in to slurp it up with her tongue. Though Pearl kept busy, and Aina only knew her while on the ferry, the two were pretty good compadres already. Both loved sports and martial arts, and were tough girls who loved sweet guys. Though it was not evident to Pearl that Aina was crushing on Max at the time.
But she knew something was bugging the Asian girl as she asked, "So, Cho... what's got up your butt?"
"Max! He should've been here a while ago," Pearl said in a worried and angry tone of voice, "And he's not answering his phone! I'm really beginning to worry about him!"
"Maybe his phone died," Aina suggested while taking a sip of her Grande Latte, "It can happen."
Pearl shook her head as she kept making sample cups, "No way. He always charges his phone. This isn't like him. I just... I just wanna know he's safe." But then she turned to Aina, who had a smirk on her face, as she blinked, "What?"
"The lovely cafe wife worried about her handsome husband," Aina teased. "Kinda nice to see you have a soft spot for him."
"I'm concerned about him as a friend! That's all," Pearl argued back, "Anyone would be worried about one of their friends!"
"Especially one they live with," Aina said back with a smirk as she enjoyed teasing Pearl.
However, the door opened as the bell chime on it rang, alerting the two of the potential customer inside. And there, they saw Max walk in as he waved, "Hey, Pearl." But then also noticed Aina, "Oh, hey, Aina."
Aina waved at him casually while Pearl turned around with a wide smile on her face. "Max, I was worried about you," Pearl asked in concern, "Why weren't you answering your-" The moment she saw the other person enter the café, all the colour on Pearl's face faded and she turned as white as a ghost. There stood the beautiful Mischa looking somewhat nervous as she stuck close to Max. Also, she was going around without any shoes. 'WHAT THE HELL,' Pearl thought in alarm, 'WHO THE HELL IS THAT?!'
Aina blinked but smirked, seeing Pearl's face, as she looked to Max and pointed to Mischa, "Hey, Max. Who's the cutie?"
Mischa blinked, 'Cutie? Me?'
Max made introductions, "This is Mischa Quist. She lives behind our home about 30 minutes of a trek to her spot. She's the only living inhabitant of the island."
"No kidding," Aina said in surprise, "I didn't think anyone lived on there and without access to the outside world." Aina looked over at Pearl, "Hey Pearl, did you hear that? It turns out you a neighbor after all."
Pearl didn't hear any of that as she stared at Mischa with wide eyes. 'A girl lived near us?! A girl with a rack like that,' Pearl thought with jealousy building up within her, 'Someone who lived in the forest by herself? One with a great face like that?! I've never seen her before. Where does she get food from if she doesn't work in town? Why does she have an amazing figure like that?! And how does she know Max?!'
As Pearl continued to ask herself a mix of angry and jealous questions, Mischa was staring back at Pearl as she studied the raven-haired girl. 'So that is the one called Pearl,' Mischa thought to herself, 'Seducing Max might be harder than I thought. This friend of his as a great figure and may be attempting to seduce Max as well. I will have to work harder before anything happens between the two of them."
Mischa passed Max and Aina and walked to the counter to meet with Pearl. She smiled as she warmed up to say, "Nice to meet you, Pearl. I must admit, when Max said he was living with a girl, I assumed it was his sister." But then held her hand out, "You're very pretty."
Pearl was snapped out of her jealous train of thought as she looked at Mischa in surprise by what she said. "T-thank you," Pearl said as she took Mischa's hand, "So are you."
'That's a relief,' Max thought to himself, 'I thought those two would be at each other's throats. But they seem to be getting along.'
However, even though both girls were shaking hands and smiling, they were far from getting along. 'If you think I'm going to fall for your flattery, think again, you country hick,' Pearl thought as anger built up within her, 'There's no way I'm letting you take Max so you can do who knows what to him!'
'If she thinks I'm going to back down from such an amazing find like Max, she can think again,' Mischa thought to herself, 'I will recruit Max and some over-dressed city girl will not stop me!' Sparks shot between the two as a new rivalry formed between the two of them.
'This is war,' the two girls thought at the same time as they accepted each other's challenge.
But Mischa blinked as she held Pearl's hand, and feeling the grip, and thought for a moment, 'Still though.. I can feel her strength in her palms. Meaning she is rather strong.' And then looked to Pearl clearly as she blushed, 'And she is rather lovely... maybe I could recruit her as well.' She then smiled as she seemed to ignore the death glares from earlier, as she smiled, "So tell me, Pearl. What's this shop for?"
"It's a café," Pearl said as she hid her jealousy and sounded neutral, "For things like special coffee, cappuccino, and other drinks like that." Mischa had a raised eyebrow from all the things Pearl just said. "You have had coffee before, right," Pearl asked with a raised eyebrow of her own.
When Mischa shook her head, all three teens looked surprised by this turn of events. 'Wow… she was cut off from the world,' Max, Pearl, and Aina thought to themselves.
"I'm not entirely sure what this coffee is, but I wish to partake in it," Mischa said, wanting not to be shown up by her, which Pearl arched an eyebrow. Sensing Pearl's doubt, she insisted, "In fact, I wish for your strongest brand of coffee."
Aina almost choked on her cup, as she asked, "What? Girl, you're nuts."
"Yeah, I have to agree with Aina here. You seem like you're new to this," Max replied.
Mischa puffed out her chest, and crossed her arms, as she pridefully stated, "I can handle my first coffee."
Max looked at the brand that Pearl was pulling out as he cautioned her, "I dunno, Mischa. That's Expresso she's pulling out. That's like the Godzilla of coffee."
"I don't know what this Godzilla is, but I can handle it," Mischa stated.
Aina got up and gently and friendly nuzzled Mischa's side, which made the Native girl blush at this contact, as Aina said, "Dang girl. You're itching to get your coffee cherry popped, ain't ya?"
Then Mischa looked confused as she asked, "What does popping a cherry have to do with coffee?"
"Never mind," Pearl said remembering that this girl was really sheltered if she didn't know terms like that.
Moments later, Mischa's cup had already been made and was handed to her, as she blinked, looking at the size of it, as she gulped, "Um... what is it?"
"It's called an Expresso grande," Pearl smirked, knowing the girl was starting to get cold feet. And not just because she was barefooted. She arched an eyebrow, "Though if you don't want it..."
Mischa immediately drank the whole cup in one gulp leaving the others shocked as she just sat there. 'She drank the entire cup in one go,' Pearl thought in shock, 'Is this really her first time drinking this?!'
"Mischa, are you okay," Max asked in concern, "You just drank a lot of caffeine in one go and it was your first cup."
"Of course, Max," Mischa assured him, as she stated, "I haven't fetl better in all my..."
Suddenly, Mischa's eyes turned into swirls, and she made a huge toothy smile as the caffeine began to go through her system. Steam blew out of her ears, her tongue shot out as her eyes bulged out due to being overwhelmed by the coffee in her body. After a moment, she was now shaking all over and while having a huge smile on her face and wide eyes that looked like her eyes could fall out at any moment.
Moments Later...
Mischa was walking around both Max and Aina at the moment, while holding her cup, while Pearl leaned on her clean counter rather amused at this. "So my mother blatantly or submissively gives in to the outdated confines of our tribes' tradtions towards women, knowing full well females are just as strong and capable as the males. And my brother's hunting party are a bunch of stuck-up jerks who couldn't even track ants to their colony. So how the hell would they have been able to hunt a mountain lion? I'm a damn-well good enough tracker and hunter as they are, and my skills in medicinal herbs could help if one of those damn idiots shoot themselves in the foot with an arrow. And one of them did, while wagging their dicks out to the girls." She walked between Max and Pearl, as she looked to Pearl, as she imitated her mother, "My mom says, 'Mischa, my daughter, you need to do your job' Which is basically go on our knees, gathering herbs, or mating with some half-brained idiot man, or 'You need stimulation'." But then turned to Pearl as she said, "But I'm stimulated enough as it is!" And then walked another lap around the café.
All while Pearl, who was impressed by this rush, mumbled, "Yeah, that's for sure."
"All the men, excluding my brother, were all a bunch of jackoffs who thought with their balls than their brains. Saying a girl should be a wife and a mother instead of a warrior or hunter. And that because I was the chief's daughter, I was special," Mischa continued to say, but then looked at her cup when she still went a word a mile a minute, "But it's not because of hereditary, it's just because I'm more observant and cautious about this stuff. If those guys would stop putting their dicks in their heads and were a bit more observant and cautious, they might be able to see where they're going wrong with this..." and then quickly sat down before them and grinned out wide, "Is there any more coffee?"
"Sure... but do you have the money to pay for it," Pearl asked her. 'Although I'm tempted to give her another cup just to see what she says next,' Pearl thought to herself due to enjoying this girl's caffeine rush.
Mischa blinked, and looked confused, "Eh, pay?"
Aina and Max looked confused on this, as she wasn't aware of this either, as Aina cleared up, "Yeah, pay. As in for products, you need to give them money?"
Mischa thought on this as she asked finally, "Would you be offered a trade then?"
"I know I'm going to regret asking this," Pearl started as she had a bad feeling about this, "But what is that you want to trade?"
Mischa got up and walked over to Pearl, as she gently held the sides of her upper chest, as if she was going to open her dress, but looked to Pearl strongly and with pride in her eyes, "I'm not a lesbian as most would say, but I am open to both sides of the sex. So as I do not have any of your commerce money, and I'm not certain if you're interested in furs I have collected, the optimal choice would be to share my body with you."
The room became silent from this offer as everyone other than Mischa stared in wide eyed shock at the girl's offer of trade. Here she was offering her body as compensation for the coffee she just drank and the second cup she was asking for.
'I was right. I do regret asking what she was offering,' Pearl thought to herself. "Sorry, but that kind of trade doesn't work in today's society," Pearl said, "If you want another cup, you have to pay for it with actual currency. Not body favors."
Then Mischa leaned in as she stated, "Then can I interest you in furs or antlers I've taxidermized? I'm also working on a Grizzly Bear rug if you're interested. It would fit in a cabin living room or a lounge room. I also have been working on an antler coat rack, either standing or wall mounted."
"Sorry, I'm going for a calming atmosphere for my cafe," Pearl answered, "Not a Hunting Club vibe."
"But she could sell the furs or antlers for the cash she would need," Max quickly suggested before anymore crazy suggestions came up, "You can just put the previous and the new cup on her tab."
"Makes sense," Aina added as she agreed with the idea.
Mischa thought on that, as she blinked, "Hmmm..." But Max then gave Pearl his debit card as he smiled, "You can charge it on me then, Pearl. She's kinda my guest anyway."
Mischa stopped her thought as she looked to see it, "Wait. I thought money came in dollars and coins, or in beads. They switched to cards?"
"Yeah, they update methods of payment," Max explained. "If you want, when the bank's opened in town, I'll help you get one."
Mischa blushed, as she asked, "So... then you wish to spend more time with me then, Max? Even after all this?"
Max nodded, "Yeah. Honestly, you're a lot of fun to hang around with. Just as much as Pearl is."
Mischa blushed and smiled seeing that. "Thank you," Mischa exclaimed while hugging Max in joy, "Thank you so much!"
This made Max blush in embarrassment due to having a girl hug him and her boobs were currently pressed against his chest.
Pearl on the other hand could feel the anger boiling within her. 'How dare she cling on to Max like that,' Pearl thought in jealousy, 'You win this round. But I still have the advantage since he lives with me!'
Aina simply grinned as she watched all of this. 'This is going to be fun,' she thought to herself.
Mischa then looked to both Pearl and Max as she asked, "Mind if I come over? I'd love to get to know you both more." But she innerly thought, 'But also I wish to know more about the two I want to turn to my pack mates and mates.'
Mischa then pulled away as she waved to them both, "I hope to see you both tonight. I'll bring some housewarming gifts." And then quickly ran out on her bare feet, leaving the door, seemingly happy. Outside as Mischa ran, she genuinely smiled, 'These people are amazing, and wonderous. True I don't understand this modern technology, but I believe they will accept the gift of the Wolf I give them.' But then wondered as she ran, 'Though still... something about Max is both alluring and yet... familiar. Who is he?'
Meanwhile
Back Inside the Cafe
Max was waving goodbye, even though Mischa was long gone, but then suddenly, Pearl grabbed him by his hoodie, making him lean back as he was seeing her upside down as he struggled, "Pearl? What are you...?"
"Max, what the hell was that about," Pearl demanded with a stern expression, "Who the hell was that girl, where did you really meet her, and why are you being so nice to her?!"
"Mischa Quist, met her 30-35 minutes behind our house, and I'm being nice to her because she's out there all alone," Max quickly explained, as she tugged on his shirt collar hard.
However, Pearl's forceful interrogation came to a halt as she heard her phone and let him go. She pulled away, as she pulled out her phone and picked up, still miffed, "Yes, who is it?" But then perked up as she smiled, "Billy? Billy, you perv. How are…?" But then she blinked as she looked a bit surprised in realization, "What happened? You're where? How did…? Oh, Mom told you, eh? And who's with you? Really? You guys just came in?" She stopped and nodded, as Max and Aina looked to each other as she went to the back.
Aina, being new to this, looked to a surprised Max, who was slowly recovering from his 'interrogation', and asked, "So, who's Billy? Her old boyfriend"
Max shook his head, "Nah, it's her cousin. Billy Hayes. He's our age, though is kind of a perv. You know how her family are a bunch of nudists?"
Aina nodded, "Yeah, nothing wrong with that."
"Well, he kinda got in trouble for peeping a bit," Max confessed. "Almost posted pics of his family on an X-rated page to show his friends."
"Did he ever get punished," Aina asked.
"The family stripped him down and had him going around in a circle as they paddled his butt," Max chuckled. "Couldn't sit down for a week."
Aina giggled, "Yeesh, that poor guy. Is everybody like that in the Hayes family?"
"Pretty much. Though weird thing is that everybody is related to someone or some crazy sense that familial bonds don't matter in romantic senses," Max stated.
Aina blinked, as she asked, "Wait. You mean they…?"
"Nah, it's not immoral. It's like that anime, Dr. Stone, when Senku finds that village was made from the ancestry of his father, that there were no blood ties that far."
"Ah, so they're family in blood and not in blood, and they just sleep with their cousins," Aina tried to piece it together. "That makes no sense."
"I don't get it either," Max shrugged. "But if it makes you feel better, Billy was adopted to the family."
Aina then shook her head, "Okay, now that makes sense."
The light suddenly went off, as Pearl walked out, and spoke up, still on the phone, "Yeah, you know the address? It's 2243 Silver Lane. It's not hard to miss, we'll meet you there. Yeah, me and Max. Love ya, cuz."
She then hung up as she sighed, as Max looked to her, "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Billy kinda got in trouble with the school, and he's coming to stay here with us after he got expelled," Pearl replied as they walked out. "Apparently, he was hanging around the wrong crowd and it was somewhat by accident."
Aina thought on it as she shrugged, "That doesn't sound like a bad thing to get thrown out of school."
"And apparently, what he got in trouble was frying up the school computers and even torching the faculty room overnight," Pearl finished, which caused the two teens to wince. "Apparently, the others blindfolded his face so he didn't know what they looked like. He got all the blame and was expelled for it. And when he learned where I was going, he thought it would be a good place for a fresh start."
Max nodded in approval, "That might actually be cool. Besides, I miss the goofball. Can't wait to see him again."
Aina got on her bike, as she smirked, "Maybe I can bring my sister over. Make it a house party welcome for him." And then rode off to pedal her way over there.
Max looked to Pearl, and then asked, "It's more than just him, isn't it?"
Pearl nodded, "Expect the unexpected, I guess."
Minutes Later
Max and Pearl pulled up to their driveway to find that Aina was getting there along with her sister Amaia, who seemed nervous as they pulled over. On the road, a blue van was making its way to their home as it pulled over on the curve while Pearl parked in the drive way. As the two got out and met up with the twins, they looked to see the occupants of the car coming out.
Stepping out of the passenger side sliding door was a sixteen-year-old blonde Caucasian with blue eyes, with a slim and fit figure like Max's; a runner or swimmer body. His blonde hair was combed to the left and spikey bangs at front, and had a cute face. He was wearing a white long-sleeved hoodie shirt with a blue jean jacket atop, blue baggy jeans and a dark blue sweater jacket tied around his waist with white sneakers. This was Billy Hayes, Pearl's cousin and adopted to the family.
Coming out of the driver's side was an eighteen-year-old blonde Caucasian with a slender figure but slim on her boobs. She had long blonde hair that was as long as Pearl's but done in an upper ponytail and pulled her bangs back. She had light green eyes that kept hidden behind pink rim glasses. She wore a grey t-shirt, a blue and yellow stripe jacket, a black hoodie jacket tied around her waist, blue jeans and yellow and black sneakers. This was Talissa Hayes, Billy's step-sister
Out of the back was another girl, she was a sixteen around everyone's age, and was African American with dark skin, reddish brown hair in dreadlocks with the left side shaved, and brown eyes. She had a small muscle toned body with a six pack stomach, wearing a turtleneck midriff showing her abs, black baggy cargo pants with a red and black hoodie jacket, and red and black sneakers. This was Marielle LaBeau, a half cousin to Billy, Pearl, and Talissa.
But what surprised the others the most was another pair of twins coming out of the van. They were identical, 15-16 years of age, slim but slender figures; lovely figures wearing the same outfits which were tight blue short shorts, black and white sneakers, midriff t-shirts, and had matching magenta bob cup hairstyles, only the one with their front bangs combed to the left, and the other combed to the right, the one with the left bangs wore the white midriff shirt, while the right bangs wore a light blue midriff shirt. The one with the left bangs was named Carol, and the other her sister Carla. They were Carol and Carla Strauss, twin sisters and acquaintances of Billy.
Once they were all out, Pearl ran up to them and hugged her family, "You guys!"
Marielle hugged back strong as she smiled, "Hey, Pearl. Billy told us you were running a café here."
She pulled back, and smiled, "Well, it's the only café available. We're still trying to breathe life in the town again."
Talissa adjusted her glasses as she hugged Pearl, "Good to see you, Pearl." She then saw Max as she waved, "Hello, Max."
Max waved back, "Hey, Talissa."
But then Pearl noticed the twins and asked, "Say, who are these two?"
Talissa adjusted her glasses and answered, "This is Carol and Carla Strauss."
Max, Aina and Amaia walked up as Pearl asked, "And they are…?"
Both girls replied, "His girlfriends."
Everyone present blinked at that, as they all asked, "Huh?"
"Surprise, Max!"
They all turned around to see Mischa, standing there with a roll of furs as she smiled, "I brought the rug like I said I would, and I did say I was coming over to 'hang out' with you guys." But then she looked and saw the new faces and said, "Oh, you brought more? That's very 'cool' of you." But innerly she thought, 'They all look amazing. And if they're staying here, then that means more pack members to add. And they all look amazing.'
During all the confusion, Aina shrugged, "Well, like we all said, "Expect the Unexpected"."
Amaia arched an eyebrow as she asked, "And who is this?"
Everyone was in a buzz on what was going on, not making sure of head or tails of this. But it was like they all said on this: Expect the Unexpected.
Next Chapter: Campfires, Sleepovers, and Stories; It Shall Soon Begin
Hey, yeah, I know the title of the chapter said Bit on the Moonlit Night in the last chapter, but I realized the story part has changed up a bit to add a bit of mystique, which is why I changed the title of the chapter for hti sone. Sorry to put this all on at the last second.
Special Thank Yous are in order for both Sidways865 for helping me churn this sucker out in time for the weekend. And another for Yoshio2014 for letting me use some of his characters to the story.
